Date

The Honorable _________________
U.S. (Senate / House of Representatives)
Washington, DC (20510[senate] / 20515[house])

Dear (Senator _______ / Representative______):

I am writing as a member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, one of twelve members of the Alliance for Disability Recreation and Sport, to urge you to take action and support increasing the funding of the Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) for recreational programs for people with disabilities, an existing program. ATRA seeks the provision of $5 million in the Appropriations bill funding the Department of Education to expand RSA's recreational programs for people with disabilities. This is an increase of $2.5 million for the program.

The increase in funding would enable RSA to fund an additional eight grants expanding the number of integrated recreation programs designed to include people with disabilities.

The significant, positive impact of participation in recreation and sports for people with disabilities is well documented. Such participation increases mobility, independence, socialization, health management, and community integration. Furthermore, participation in recreation and sport prevents a decline in physical, cognitive, and psycho-social functioning among people with disabilities, thereby reducing secondary disabilities and the higher health care costs they create. We feel strongly that the federal government needs to devote more resources towards expanding these opportunities. Over 54 million people in the U.S. today have some type of disability and nearly 70% of those who are of working age are unemployed. Disability recreation and sports initiatives address a number of national policy priorities, yet opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in community recreation programs are very hard to find.

Your help is needed for the provision of $5 million to support expanded RSA recreational programs for people with disabilities. I hope you will consider assisting us in achieving this goal through the appropriations process.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

CC: ATRA National Office
Fax 703-683-9431